Victoria International Airport receives $ 3 million federal injection – Saanich News

Victoria International Airport is one of 11 airports in British Columbia that received an injection of federal dollars this summer.

In a statement released Friday, July 30, the government announced funding of $ 11,721,721 under its regional air transport initiative to help ensure connectivity and jobs to and from small areas of the province.

Victoria Airport (YYJ) will receive the largest sum, nearly $ 3 million.

“This funding announcement is good news that will help YYJ restore lost air service, attract new air service, increase passenger demand, and continue to operate a safe and efficient airport with safe and efficient standards. world-class health, ”said the President and CEO of the Victoria Airports Authority. Geoff Dickson.

“Air connectivity is the key to economic prosperity and we look forward to helping rebuild the visitor economy. “

YYJ has seen a huge drop in traffic during the pandemic, dropping from nearly two million passengers at its doors in 2019 to less than 600,000 in 2020. Although there has been a slight rebound in the past two months, the numbers continue to sit at record highs. In June, 12,746 passengers passed through the airport, up from 169,825 in 2019.

Nanaimo will receive funding in two areas: approximately $ 1.38 million for the airport commission and $ 346,000 for the port authority. The Comox Valley Airport Commission has funding of approximately $ 1.1 million.

Other regions include Prince Rupert, Bella Coola, Prince George, Kamloops, Fort St. John, Golden, Terrace, and Cassidy.

“Regional airports and infrastructure are essential parts of the BC economy, both for commerce and for travel that many Canadians are starting to look forward to as we recover from the effects of the pandemic. COVID-19. This funding will go a long way to getting these assets back on their feet, ”said Terry Beech, Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministers of Fisheries and Economic Development.

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federal government Transportation Victoria International Airport